In November 2022, Mike Tolizano was riding high after scoring a big win at UFC 281 at Madison Square Garden. If he hadn’t lost weight, he could have gotten a bonus with the way Choi Seung Woo finished.
Two months later, Tolizano (10-3) was removed from the UFC roster. This was unusual, as winning fighters and promotions rarely separate. Tolizano moved up with a record of 4 wins and 3 losses and became the Ultimate Fighter 27 lightweight champion.
Many fans expressed surprise when his name was posted on the algorithm-based X Account UFC roster tracker as a departure from the promotion.
“They weren’t interested in re-signing me, so I just wanted to explore free agency,” Tolizano recently told MMA Junkie. “I’m not going to stress about it. It’s not in my control. The last two fights were bangers. One was the fight of the night. There were some knockdowns as well. Then, We got a knockout win at MSG. We did what we could. At the end of the day, they were like, ‘We’re going to move on.’ So that’s what it is. ”
Almost a year and a half have passed since then, but Tolizano hasn’t given much thought to how things have turned out. After the gloves come off and he steps into his new promotional house, his eyes are set on the future.
“I took a little bit of time off to become a father for a little bit and figure out what I wanted to do,” Tolizano said. “The plan was to end up doing MMA. I was going to do tentacles, but (BKFC) came and took it away. I’ve always wanted to do a bare-knuckle fight. When I first started training, I wanted to compete in old-school Kyokushin Karate tournaments, and now that bare-knuckle boxing is happening, I thought, “Oh, this is right in my wheelhouse.” I thought. I’m a really good boxer so this is just fun and something new so I’m really excited. I wanted to be there. ”
Tolisano, 32, will face Bellator alumnus Derek Campos on May 11 at BKFC 61. The event will be held at Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut. The potential blood and guts nature of this matchup is exactly what Tolizano was looking for.
“I like a challenge,” Tolizano said. “I want to fight tough guys, ’cause what’s the point? Why skate without overcoming adversity? What’s important is to challenge tough people and be a better version of yourself. What I always try to do is compete against the best players who push me.”
Beyond this fight, Tolizano doesn’t know what the future holds. Whether continuing to fight in BKFC, joining the PFL or reuniting with the UFC, Tolizano’s focus will be on leveraging the lessons he’s learned fighting in the mainstream spotlight since 2018’s ‘TUF 27’ Thing.
“I learned to just let it all out and not be afraid, because before you know it, it’s all gone,” Tolizano said. “It’s all done. If you leave everything in a cage without a fight, you’ll never know your true potential. That’s me. I have no choice but to give it my all. I have no regrets.”
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